Each month, Esports Insider curates a list of the industry’s key personnel changes. Here we have compiled April’s most notable movers and shakers. To read more about a story, click the corresponding link in the title.
Spotlighted story:
Valkyrae and CouRage made co-owners of 100 Thieves
Photo credit: 100 Thieves
100 Thieves CEO Matt ‘Nadeshot’ Haag has announced Rachel ‘Valkyrae’ Hofstetter and Jack ‘CouRage’ Dunlop as co-owners of the brand.
Both Hofstetter and Dunlop joined the organisation originally as content creators — Hofstetter in 2018 and Dunlop in 2019.
Esports movers and shakers, April 2021
aXiomatic Gaming appoints Mark Vela as CEO
Photo credit: aXiomatic Gaming
aXiomatic Gaming, the parent company of esports organisation Team Liquid, has appointed its Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Mark Vela as the firm’s new CEO, effective April 30th. Vela will be responsible for leading investments, lending strategic support and providing oversight across the firm’s entire portfolio, which includes Epic Games and Team Liquid, among others.
Bruce Stein, aXiomatic Gaming’s Co-Founder and current CEO, will continue with the company as an investor.
Alban Dechelotte announces Riot Games departure
Photo credit: Esports Insider / Jak Howard
Alban Dechelotte, Riot Games Head of Partnerships in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), has announced his departure from the company.
Dechelotte is credited for overseeing a multitude of non-endemic brand agreements for the League of Legends European Championships (LEC). According to a statement, Dechelotte left the publisher to join ‘another venture in esports’.
UTA appoints Ander Nickell as esports Brand Partnerships Executive, Clinton Foy as Venture Capital Partner
Image credit: / UTA
Talent and entertainment agency UTA has appointed Ander Nickell as its esports division’s new Brand Partnerships Executive.
Clinton Foy will also be joining UTA Ventures, UTA’s investment arm, as General Partner, Venture Capital.
Latin artist Ozuna partners with XSET
Credit: XSET
Lifestyle gaming organisation XSET has announced a partnership with multi-award-winning Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Ozuna. The partnership sees Ozuna become a managing partner of the organisation.
Team Liquid signs DJ Ruben de Ronde as brand ambassador
Credit: Team Liquid
Esports organisation Team Liquid has signed Dutch DJ and music producer Ruben de Ronde as its latest brand ambassador.
Team Liquid previously collaborated with de Ronde during Liquid+’s launch stream in January this year.
The Story Mob appoints Michael Chavez Booth as GM of NA office
Photo credit: The Story Mob
Gaming communications consultancy The Story Mob has appointed Michael Chavez Booth as the first-ever General Manager of its North American office.
Booth will be responsible for the agency’s North American client relations and team development. He will also support The Story Mob’s new business efforts as the firm expands into new verticals including apparel, digital finance, collectibles, and health and wellness.
Former NRG Esports executive Kyle Scott joins QYOU Media
Image credit: The QYOU
Kyle Scott, formerly of North American organisation NRG Esports, has joined influencer marketing agency QYOU Media as its Vice President of Global Partnerships.
Scott will help develop the agency’s global brand partnerships across a range of verticals, including esports and gaming.
Enthusiast Gaming welcomes Richard Sherman to Board of Directors
Photo credit: Enthusiast Gaming
North American gaming media platform Enthusiast Gaming has announced that NFL free agent Richard Sherman has been appointed to its Board of Directors.
Sherman has been working with Enthusiast Gaming’s esports organisation, Luminosity Gaming, since 2019 as a global brand ambassador.
Rivalry welcomes former Ontario Lottery executive as board member
Photo credit: Chris Roussakis/ National Post
Toronto-based esports betting platform Rivalry has announced that Stephen Rigby, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s former President and CEO, will join its Board of Directors.
Rigby’s appointment represents a critical step in Rivalry’s journey to becoming a global player in regulated online sports betting, according to a release.
Vindex Appoints Yum! Brands veteran Keith Siegner as CFO, Esports Engine hires Meghan Tritt
Esports technology company Vindex has hired former Yum! Brands executive Keith Siegner as its new Chief Financial Officer. Siegner will lead global finance operations for Vindex and its subsidiaries, which includes Esports Engine and Belong Gaming Arenas.
Esports Engine also hired Meghan Tritt as Global Head of Human Resources last month.
ProGuides names Paul Condolora as Chief Operating Officer
Image credit: ProGuides
Esports training platform ProGuides has named digital media veteran Paul Condolora as its Chief Operating Officer.
In his new role, Condolora will lead revenue and operations for the on-demand learning platform.
Prodigy Agency appoints Jordan Savelli as FPS Agent
Esports talent agency Prodigy Agency has appointed Jordan Savelli, formerly of Nicecactus, as the firm’s FPS agent.
Savelli will be scouting and signing mainly new CS:GO and VALORANT talent, as well as securing opportunities for the agency’s existing players.